Summer Camps

Have an unforgettable Summer Camp experience at the New York Aquarium!

WCS Education Camp Principles of Excellence:

Create a welcoming and safe camp experience for all

Foster curiosity, scientific inquiry, and critical thinking

Instill an appreciation and connection to local nature

Spend at least half of camp time outside the classroom

Inspire all to take conservation action

Most camps run Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00p.m. and include:

Exclusive early morning access to exhibits including new Ocean Wonders: Sharks

Animal encounters

Keeper visits

Behind-the-scenes experiences

Science investigations

Games

Crafts

Beach-based activities

Special closing ceremony for caregivers on Fridays that will begin prior to 3:00 p.m.

If you have questions about our camps, visit our FAQs page. We've likely got you covered.

Please click on the session of your choice to view availability and to register.

Can't wait for the summer? We also run drop off programs throughout the year! Click here to see which programs we have

Summer Camp Extended Care:

Need extra time for pick up? Extended care runs from 3pm-5:30pm for caregivers who can't arrive for a 3pm pick up. During extended care campers will have unstructured time to play games, read books, and play a little longer at the aquarium.

Super Sea Creatures (entering Pre-K4 - K grades)

Faster than a speeding sea otter, more powerful than a shark - it's Super Sea Creatures! Join us to learn how sea otters, sharks, and even you can be an ocean superhero! We'll learn about these super sea creatures through exhibit visits, up close animal encounters and hands on science activities both in and out of the classroom.

DATES:July 15 - 19, 2019August 19 – 23, 2019August 26 – 30, 2019

COST:$350 members / $375 non-members

3 Day

Ocean Super Heroes (entering 1st - 2nd grades)

Who are the superheroes of the ocean? They’re all around you at the New York Aquarium! Come find out how sea otters keep an entire ecosystem balanced, sharks help keep our ocean clean and how you can be an ocean superhero too! Everyday we’ll learn about amazing aquatic animal adaptations through exhibit visits, animal encounters and hands on science activities both in and out of the classroom.

DATES:July 8 – 12, 2019 August 5 – 9, 2019August 19 – 23, 2019

COST:$350 members / $375 non-members

3 Day

Seaside Explorers (entering 1st - 2nd grades)

Come explore our own backyard in this hands on, beach based summer camp! Be prepared to get sandy as we discover the many living things that call Coney Island beach home. You will explore the Aquarium exhibits and on the beach, meet local animal ambassadors, and learn how you can be a better neighbor!

Ancient Oceans (entering 3rd - 5th grades)

Join us for a paleontology adventure as we travel back in time to explore our ancient oceans. We’ll see how our oceans expanded and investigate ancient life in the seas. Through hands-on investigations, live-animal encounters and exhibit visits, we’ll explore extinct prehistoric ocean giants to amazing aquatic animals that are still alive today!

Sea Myths and Monsters (entering 3rd - 5th grades)

Loch Ness Monster? The Kraken? Unicorns? Did you know that many of the common mythological creatures are based off of real ocean animals? Join us for a week as we take a deep dive into mythological creatures and the scientific facts that they grew out of! You will explore Aquarium exhibits and Coney Island Beach, meet local animal ambassadors and engage in hands on activities as we uncover the truth behind the myths.

3 Day

Ocean Champions (entering 6th - 8th grades)

Care about the ocean? So do we! Find out what WCS and New Yorkers are doing around the world from Indonesia to Brooklyn. Campers will talk to experts, meet local animal ambassadors up close, and explore the aquarium exhibits and Coney Island Beach to create our own campaigns and projects to enact positive change!

Aquarium Directors (entering 6th - 8th grades)

Running an aquarium is a lot of work – are you up for it? Through hands on activities and behind the scenes experiences, you will learn all about the different people who come together to make the New York Aquarium run. This wide ranging camp will include animal care and health, water quality, and engineering. Come join the staff for a week and be a part of the NYA team!

Camp Registration Information

Registration for camp is on a first come, first served basis. Our registrar will contact you to secure payment as we do not have an online payment option at this time. Upon complete registration following receipt of payment, you will receive a NY Aquarium Summer Camp Welcome Packet by email. Your packet will include important information, such as camp meeting locations, a camper pick-up authorization form, and a summary of what you can expect during camp.

If a camp session is full, your child can be placed on the Wait List. Being on the wait list does not guarantee registration. A spot will only open up for your child if someone else cancels a camp registration and you are next on the Wait List. Our Registrar can inform you of your placement on the wait list.

If you have any questions regarding camp please feel free to call us at 1-800-433-4149 or email us at nyaeducation@wcs.org.